Lottery not the answer

Recently, Ann Letten wrote a letter, "Just how dumb?" She pushed the education lottery as the answer to our education budget crunch. I wonder how long Florida will be pleased with their lottery.

Oklahoma does not seem to be pleased. The head of Oklahoma's Republican Party, citing lower-than-expected revenue and escalating social costs, is calling for repeal of the Oklahoma Lottery, according to news reports. Only 18 months after the first lottery ticket was sold, state Republican Party Chairman Tom Daxon says the lottery, approved with 64 percent of the vote in a statewide referendum in 2004, has not worked out as the voters were led to believe.

Daxon said lottery revenue has consistently been below expectations, and that shortfalls have forced lawmakers to dip into other revenue sources to fund education.

The comptroller of the state of New York reports negatively about the lottery saving education there also.

The truth is that the percentage of funds going to help education seems quite low. We also know that when you hurt the poor of your own state, you are hurting yourself. Check out the pawn shops in Tunica or find out how many citizens are filing bankruptcy. We certainly do not need to addict ourselves, even if the cause is worthy.

And by the way, we need our religion in politics and in everything we do. If not, then who is being the hypocrite? Separation of church and state is not found in the Constitution. That is a myth.

Perry Taylor

Florence